The Blue World Institute is extremly proud to announce the partnership with the School for Field Studies (SFS), based in Massachusetts (USA), and the joint development of the study abroad program for undergraduates entitled „The Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna“. This immersive program emphasizes field studies, providing hands-on experience in cetacean and sea turtle biology, ecology, and conservation methods. Students will also explore veterinary diagnostics, nature-based solutions to biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, and strategies for managing protected areas and threatened ecosystems.

The first semester program, titled “Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals of the Adriatic“, starts from September 2 and lasts up to December 11, 2024. A total of 15 students are enrolled and the applications for the next semester, which will last from February 17 until May 28, 2025, are open.

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Through a combination of lectures, seminars, group projects in both field and lab settings, study visits, and community involvement, the students will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of balancing marine megafauna conservation with socio-economic needs and local traditions.

Students will delve into the conservation issues facing dolphins and turtles, exploring their connections to small island communities, large-scale tourism, various coastal and open sea environments, local and industrial fishing practices, and other socio-economic factors.

Each program integrates theoretical knowledge from classroom sessions with practical, field-based experiences. This interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to guide students in actively exploring and understanding the complexities of harmonizing conservation efforts with social and economic considerations.

 

ABOUT SFS

The School for Field Studies was established in 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, and has since become widely recognized across the United States as a leading environmental study abroad program for undergraduates. With affiliations to over 150 colleges and universities, SFS has welcomed more than 18,000 students from both the U.S. and around the world. The organization runs fully staffed field stations in various locations, including Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The SFS model provides students with a well-rounded education that integrates both research and hands-on experience. Extensive time spent in the field allows students to directly engage with the subjects they are studying, developing practical skills in both the natural and social sciences. The SFS approach aims to foster a supportive and encouraging environment where students can learn, explore, and thrive. United by a common goal of understanding the environment and their role in its conservation, students from various backgrounds come together to live, work, and study as a community in SFS programs.